I immediately decline if a company asks for unpaid work as part of the interview process. If it’s paid I don’t have an issue with it. I assume if a company starts the relationship with asking for unpaid work that expectation will continue throughout your employment.
There are simply too many companies hiring that don’t require this that it’s easy to just pass.
> I immediately decline if a company asks for unpaid work as part of the interview process.
Take-home challenges aren't unpaid work. They're just a take-home replacement for the on-site interview.
If anyone tries to get you to do unpaid work (as in, actual work that the company needs to be done rather than an arbitrary challenge given to candidates for review) then you should absolutely walk.
There are simply too many companies hiring that don’t require this that it’s easy to just pass.